A new helmet to bring riders into the fold?

By Melissa Fyfe

IN A bid to save Melbourne's troubled bike share scheme, the state government is considering providing collapsible helmets that could fold up and be carried in a briefcase or handbag.

The scheme's operator, RACV, will also hand out free conventional bike helmets next month and VicRoads has confirmed it is working with RACV on a range of other helmet options, including the collapsible variety.

The helmet is made from robust textiles that folds easily.

Figures obtained by The Sunday Age show that usage of the new scheme - introduced late May - remains low and declined last month.

The Sunday Age understands that RACV will next month promote the 600-bike scheme on a series of ''roadshows'', visiting city businesses and giving away free helmets and trial vouchers. The RACV and VicRoads are also considering helmet vending machines, although this is believed to be an expensive option.

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This French-designed helmet can be carried in a handbag.

The scheme, which is costing taxpayers $5.5 million over four years, has been crippled by Melbourne's compulsory helmet laws. Bike share schemes are established in 135 cities around the world, but Melbourne's is the only one operating under such strict laws.

The City of Melbourne, the state government and RACV have been criticised for launching Melbourne Bike Share on the cusp of winter and for not taking into account Victoria's helmet laws.

The Sunday Age has been told an Australian company has approached VicRoads with a collapsible helmet product. VicRoads, which declined to provide further details, may run a tender for the provision of collapsible helmets, depending on whether Australian safety standards can be met. French company DOYOUvelo? also has a prototype collapsible helmet that folds flat.

Figures obtained by The Sunday Age show annual subscriptions - which cost $50 - dropped in August, from 135 in July to 108 as of Friday. New casual users of the bikes dropped from 1461 in July to 1070 and the number of rides fell from 4116 to 3775. According to the figures, Melburnians are taking 140 rides a day on the bikes.

VicRoads and RACV have also been toying with the idea of providing hairnets at helmet vending machines. The Melbourne Bike Share survey taken earlier this year showed hygiene was a key issue in hiring helmets. One respondent said: ''Sharing a helmet is a bit like sharing underwear'' and another said: ''Had enough nits when the children were at school.''

The blue bikes, which are available at 50 docking stations around the city, can be hired on an annual subscription fee of $50, weekly rates are $8 and daily subscription costs $2.50. If the ride takes less than 30 minutes, the subscription fee is the only cost. Half-hourly charges apply after that.

A $25-helmet is given free to people who sign up for an annual subscription. Helmets have also been made available cheaply at some city stores and hotels. If riders do not wear a helmet they risk a $146 fine if caught by police. The government has ruled out waiving the helmet laws, as Mexico City did for their scheme.